Review: GLITCH GIRL!

GLITCH GIRL!

by Rainie Oet

Kokila (imprint of Penguin Young Readers), 2025

Category: Middle Grade 

Reviewer: Esty Schachter

 

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GLITCH GIRL! is a heartbreaking verse novel by Rainie Oet that begins with a content warning: "This book contains depictions of difficult subjects that some may find triggering. These include trauma, physical abuse, emotional abuse, violence, self-harm, misgendering, transphobia, homophobia and bullying." This is important, as Oet’s book, taken from personal experiences, is a painful exploration of a child experiencing emotional and physical abuse at home, and the significant impacts that result. The main character, J—, uses a crossed-out name in reflecting on the past because she identifies as a nonbinary girl and uses she/her and they/them pronouns interchangeably. Oet acutely shows J— from 4th to 7th grade as they struggle with rejection, very low self-esteem and isolation, finding some respite through a video game they play. J— reveals questions about their gender identity in tender poems. Their parents are unable to tolerate this and other aspects of who J— is, including their ADHD diagnosis and challenges with impulsivity. 

J— develops an uncomfortably obsessive crush on Junie, a girl in their class who is nice to them, and this provides small moments of warmth as well as much challenge. J— is bullied by peers and teachers, who show annoyance for J—, similar to their parents. Oet presents J—'s desire for connection, shame and despair with an emotional intensity, often with parallel dark references in the video game.

Towards the end of the book readers experience J—'s slow realization that there is a life that exists between early rigid perceptions of good and bad, that they indeed have worth, and that they can be accepted as they are. The book ends on a hopeful note as J— meets Sam, a nonbinary student in fencing class, who provides them with so much – information for J— and their family, a role model, and most importantly, a true friendship. In the end, we are closer to J—'s gender identity and neurodivergence being affirmed with love and acceptance, as it should be. GLITCH GIRL! is written for kids 10-14, but is potentially quite dark and could be unsettling for some in the middle grade audience. 

 

J—'s family is Russian Jewish and generational trauma is evident. Jewish content includes poems describing a Passover seder as well as a mourning ritual that J— observes their father take part in, but is not a major focus of the book. The Jewish representation may be described as "casual." 

 

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Reviewer Esty Schachter is the author of PICKLED WATERMELON, ANYA’S ECHOES and WAITING FOR A SIGN, and is a clinical social worker in the Boston area.